Chapter 54

It was the weekend two weeks after Allen had beaten up the young Gold Rats.

For these two weeks, I had crammed in as many part-time jobs as possible, such as deliveries, cleaning, and odd jobs at construction sites, during my after-school and weekend hours, getting a taste of the basic work of a junior explorer.

Of course, during this time, there were also some idiots who looked down on the "Apple Family," and I had gently taught them the proper way of things.

Today, I was brought by Oyassan and was with eight relatively older members of the Apple, in a grassland relatively close to the capital.

The purpose today was to procure meat for consumption at the "Apple House."

If you try to feed the growing children to their heart's content in the capital where prices are high, it naturally leads to a semi-self-sufficient lifestyle.

Especially, since the main members in their prime had left en masse about two months ago, the Apple House, which also serves as an orphanage, was struggling with food.

Oyassan, who is usually extremely busy, takes the children, who lack sufficient combat skills, on a hunting trip once a month. This is important for the "Apple House" both in terms of securing food and combat training.

◆

"Ren-nii, you have a bow!

Can you use it?!

That's so cool!"

"Ren, teach me how to use the bow!"

Since the incident with the Gold Rats, I had become popular among the members of the "Apple House."

Explorers are in an industry where strength is justice.

Especially for the two young ones, Poe and Reina, who had seen me burst out and wreak havoc when their big brother Roy was being brutally beaten by a rude fat man right in front of them, I had become very popular.

Incidentally, that fat man was apparently a notorious thug in the area, and he had come for revenge multiple times, but I had politely sent him back each time.

I had considered running away because it was troublesome, but I thought that if I were disrespected, other members of the Apple might be disrespected at their workplaces.

I was so annoyed by his persistence that I discovered a concentrated healing ointment made from Yewk grass on his waist. I invented a method of knocking him out once, applying the ointment, and knocking him out again, completing two days' worth of work in one day.

From the next day, the fat man stopped coming, and when I saw him at the East Branch Office, he greeted me with a rude, "Ren-kun, cheese!"

Perhaps influenced by this, or perhaps because I had patiently explained the proper way of things to the idiots who said unreasonable things in front of everyone for these two weeks, the members of the Apple were much less disrespected by other mutual aid groups at their workplaces, and they welcomed me, an outsider, into the family.

"Hehehe.

You guys have a good eye for recognizing how cool this is.

But I'm not yet at the level where I can teach others.

Actually, I just bought it, and this is the first time I'm using it in a real situation."

"Really? It's just for show?!"

"Teach us when you get better, Ren!"

"Why a short bow?

Well, it's fine...

Rygo, you have a taste for the obscure.

Since it's your first time, don't shoot recklessly.

It's dangerous with the kids running around today.

...You're a kid too, though."

Oyassan, who understands the subtlety, is impressive.

But indeed, if I accidentally hit a companion, it would be no laughing matter.

Also, today, unlike the training facility where arrows are supplied infinitely, we only have 20 arrows in the quiver.

Currently, I can shoot about one arrow every 2 seconds with a certain level of accuracy, and if I shoot as fast as possible without worrying about accuracy, I can shoot about 3 arrows in 2 seconds.

If I shoot recklessly, I'll run out of arrows in 15 seconds.

"Understood.

By the way, what's today's prey?"

I asked Oyassan, who was carrying a spear that looked quite professional.

"Yeah.

The main target is the Rune Sheep, a type of sheep.

The meat is delicious, and this season is just before they shed their winter coat, so the wool is of the highest quality.

Ordinary ones can be hunted by the kids, but the ones that have become monsters are D-rank.

They have a lot of charging power and are dangerous, so if there are any, I'll handle them.

Well, with Ren's movements, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Understood.

The ones with glossy fur are monsters, and their magic organs are their horns.

If I see one, I'll call you."

"What, have you seen them before?"

"No, I just have most of the monsters from the Canardia Monster Compendium memorized."

"...That thick dictionary-like book...

What kind of brain do you have, kid..."

"If you're interested, anyone can memorize it."

"Hmph, that's the hardest part.

It's hard to memorize monsters from regions you don't plan to visit...

Well, let's get going.

We'll leave the path here.

Monsters will appear, so no more idle talk."

Oyassan gathered everyone once.

"We'll leave the cart here.

Since Ren is with us this time, we'll change the formation a bit.

I'll be in front, Amour and Roy, who have spears, will be on the sides, and Ren will be the rear guard.

Amour, what are the things to watch out for with the monsters around here?"

When asked by Oyassan, the big brother answered without hesitation.

"The most dangerous is the Grithes Snake.

It's a B-rank monster that comes to this area for food during this season, so there's a chance it might appear.

It reacts to moving prey, so if it does appear, we'll either avoid it or stay still until Dad finishes hunting.

If a monster with an attribute appears, using magic to take them all out at once is the most dangerous, so we'll spread out about 20 meters and retreat.

Dad will take care of it.

For ordinary monsters, Dad will judge if we can handle them, and if possible, the three shield bearers and one spear bearer will surround and take them down."

Oyassan nodded.

"Got it.

Ren, you can move freely today.

However, as the rear guard of the party, always be aware of the overall movement.

Especially when shooting arrows, always confirm everyone's positions before shooting.

Let's go.

The destination is that rock mountain."

Saying this, Oyassan started walking toward the rock mountain, which was about 500 meters off the path.

◆

When we reached the rock mountain, Rune Sheep were found grazing on the grass all over the place.

Two individuals, one each, were taken down by Amour and Roy's teams, who were relatively lower down.

I didn't have a turn.

I watched the process of draining the blood, which was hung on nearby low shrubs, with great interest, when Oyassan called me.

"That one over there is a monster.

I want to see your bow skills, so take a shot."

Following Oyassan's finger, I saw a Rune Sheep with slightly better fur luster than the others.

Maybe it's because it's in the shade, but I imagined it would be more shiny.

This is something you can only understand with experience.

"It's quite cautious."

The individual was facing us, occasionally looking in our direction while grazing.

"Of course.

It just saw two of its kind killed right in front of it.

It's probably impossible to hit, but just show me your skills, so take it easy."

I nodded at Oyassan's words.

The distance was about 70 meters, but considering the elevation difference, it was probably at the edge of my effective range.

I quickly nocked a wooden arrow, aimed for just a moment, and released it.

The monster Rune Sheep immediately crouched to dodge the arrow, which embedded itself in the rock, and then fled up the cliff.

Glancing at Oyassan, he had his arms crossed and a troubled look on his face.

"Sorry, I let it escape...

If it has the habit of dodging like that, I might be able to hit it by adjusting the time of impact and shooting twice."

"...Is this really your first time?

Where did you aim?"

"Huh?

At the forehead...

To leave the magic organ, the horn, intact and to take it down without damaging the meat or fur, I thought it would be best to crush the head...

Was that wrong?"

"...So you aimed at a 'point' in that instant...

...Adjusting the time of impact and shooting twice?

It's so unconventional that I don't even know how to comment."

Am I being scolded?

Or praised?

"...I'll try to hit it next time."

I answered as safely as possible.

2023/07/23:

Changed character names.